Holidays aren't just for young

December 13, 2006|ANITA MUNSON Tribune Staff Writer

MY TURN Just when you get to the age when you start to believe that Christmas truly is for the children, a Thanksgiving get-together and a cousin's thoughtfulness give you pause for thought. My cousin, Connie, and her husband drove in from the Washington, D.C., area so we could continue a tradition of the "Siberry Cousins" sharing Thanksgiving together. True, not every cousin was there, and those who weren't were missed, but the rest of us were happy to be with my Aunt Jo, the matriarch of that side of the family, and the 12-year-old triplets belonging to her son, Greg. Connie and I restarted the tradition last year, when everyone squeezed into my small place for a traditional meal and plenty of stories about how we cousins had spent many Thanksgivings at Grandpa and Grandma Siberry's house in the tiny rural burg of DeSoto, Ind. The original six cousins -- three boys and three girls -- had loved playing with the old Carrom board that had been around as long as our parents. It's an old-fashioned game that resulted in much competition among us, and laughter, too. By the time Grandma and Grandpa had gone on to their great reward, the annual gathering ceased to be. But Connie and I wouldn't quite give up on the idea, even if all the cousins couldn't come. We needed it to happen. Cousin Greg volunteered to be our host this year. I drove up to White Pigeon to Aunt Jo's house, where Connie and I caught up with each other's news before heading to Greg's for the festivities. After hugs all round, and to start the exchange of gifts, Connie said I had to close my eyes because she hadn't wrapped my present. I did as instructed and, when I opened my eyes, every Siberry holiday came flooding back. There, in a shiny new box was an old, old holiday friend. Complete with hand-sewn corner pockets, little round "shooters" to knock the carroms into the pockets, and numerous other games none of us had ever bothered to try to learn growing up, was a Carrom board. She'd remembered! When we got to cousin Greg's home, the party began. We gave thanks, we ate and we played. Out came the new Carrom board, and the triplets -- Gregory, Monica and Vanessa -- became the next generation of Siberry cousins to enjoy the game. All of us on the floor, all of us moaning when our "shots" went everywhere but where they were supposed to be, and celebrating the dead-eye aim of fortunate shots. Lots of laughter, carroms flying everywhere, and cousin Connie taking pictures that would document for future generations of Siberry cousins that Christmas isn't just for children. It's for remembering how to be a child and to share the wonder of the season with those you love.Staff writer Anita Munson: amunson@sbtinfo.com (574) 936-2920